This E-newsletter is devoted to sharing information about special education, disability rights, mental health and human services law, political policy and research that is of importance to people with disabilities, their families, and the professionals that work with them. It also includes updates and news about our firm and its activities. We hope you find it helpful and welcome your comments and suggestions. — Matt Cohen
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Celebrate the life, work and legacy of Annmarie Robinson, Senior Advocate at Matt Cohen & Associates |
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A memorial service will be held for our former Advocate, Annmarie Robinson, who passed away in March, 2022. The service will be Aug. 31, at 4 p.m., with all remembrances starting at 4:30 p.m., at the Garfield Park Conservatory Community Room.
Annmarie worked with Matt Cohen and Associates for over 25 years, until her retirement in December, 2021. She was a fierce advocate for children, who, as a parent of a child with disabilities, could relate to clients on the most personal level.
If you are interested in attending, please RSVP by signing up for a "ticket" as seating is limited. If you would like to share a memory or remembrance about Annmarie in person, or if you are unable to attend but would like to submit a remembrance to be read at the memorial, please email Brad Dembs.
We are asking that you register in advance for the memorial service. Come early or stay late and take a stroll through the beautiful and varied gardens of the Conservatory, a fitting way to remember and honor Annmarie!
Register for the memorial.
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New Matt Cohen and Associates webinar series launching Aug. 30
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Matt Cohen and Associates is launching a new series of webinars designed to help families understand their rights and advocate for their children with disabilities. We're kicking off the series on Aug. 30, with a discussion of the differences in eligibility, legal rights, and advocacy strategies for IEPs and 504 Plans.
Differences between IEPs and 504 plans
Aug. 30, 5 p.m., via Zoom
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
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U.S. Education Department issues new school discipline guidelines to protect students with disabilities
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The U.S. Department of Education has issued new resources clarifying the use of discipline for students with disabilities to avoid discriminatory rates of expulsion and suspension. According to the department, the resources reflect concerns that, in the wake of the pandemic, some students are not receiving the supports they need to address problem behaviors.
"All students deserve to have their rights protected, and schools deserve greater clarity on how they can avoid the discriminatory use of discipline," U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona says. "Too often, students with disabilities face harsh and exclusionary disciplinary action at school.” The new guidance, he says, will help ensure that students with disabilities are treated fairly and their needs, disability-based behavior, are met. Read more from USDOE.
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People with disabilities feel like they don’t matter as country lifts most COVID safety measures |
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As the country tries to return to normal — and in many cases pretend the pandemic is over — most safety mitigations have been lifted. That might sit well with a big chunk of the country, but immunocompromised individuals are scared and feel as if their needs have been forgotten.
"All we're really asking for is for a masking policy that will allow us to be able to go to the store, to go to the doctor, go get the mail, without risking [our health]," says one immunocompromised woman. "One-way masking does not work, and no one seems to care outside of our community because they don't see you as someone who needs to be protected. They see you as someone who's just on borrowed time as it is." Read more from NPR.
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Illinois just one of 21 states found to be meeting IDEA obligations |
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A U.S. Department of Education survey has found that only 21 states were meeting minimum requirements under IDEA for students ages three to 21 during the 2020 - 2021 school year. But the department held off assigning it’s even more problematic label, “needs intervention,” because of the unique challenges during the pandemic.
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CPS says it will prioritize busing for special ed students — for now |
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Amid a nationwide bus driver shortage, Chicago Public Schools (CPS) says it is prioritizing bus service for students with disabilities, instead of students in magnet and selective enrollment programs that would be entitled to busing depending on where they live.
But we are worried that the district is offering some families stipends, as they did last year, to get to school on their own, which could violate their right to a free and public education. Read more from WBEZ.
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Upcoming presentations
from 7 to 8:30 p.m. The title of his presentation is "Addressing Challenging Behavior: Legal rights and responsibilities -- strategies for building a behavioral safety net." Please register in advance.
Matt Cohen will be presenting at the Illinois Statewide Transition Conference on Nov. 3. The title of his presentation is “The Challenge of Finding Hope for Our Kids and Ourselves!”
Using his research and experience as an advocate and parent, Matt will address the challenges people face in dealing with disabilities and the importance of identifying, confronting and accepting painful realities. More details about the conference can be found here.
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- Secured district placement at Brehm for the upcoming school year as well as reimbursement of parents' out of pocket costs for previous year tuition at Brehm and attorneys’ fees.
- Obtained district payment for private therapeutic day school placement for 4th grade student with Specific Learning Disabilities and obtained district reimbursement for parents’ neuropsych evaluation expenses and transportation costs.
- Recovered attorneys’ fees from private residential program that sought to dismiss student with autism despite lack of any alternative placement options, resulting in a need to file an emergency hearing request on behalf of the family.
- Obtained district payment for summer programming at private therapeutic day school and future educational expenses for elementary school student.
- Recovered attorneys’ fees from school district after winning due process hearing and further resolved additional dispute by obtaining funds for parents to use for compensatory education after student ages out of special education eligibility.
- Supported the family to transfer their son with learning and social-emotional needs to a more appropriate therapeutic day school.
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Matt Cohen and Associates is fully virtual as of this week |
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Matt Cohen and Associates has maintained a suite of offices at 155 N. Michigan Ave. in Chicago since 2012. Prior to the pandemic, some of our staff worked primarily from home, but the pandemic forced the entire office to move to a virtual work arrangement.
That shift actually worked very well and we now successfully conduct all our business remotely, using Zoom for client and staff meetings, mediation and IEP meetings and even for due process hearings.
Our client records are now completely cloud based and
the staff has found many ways to capitalize on virtual programming to better serve our clients and work more efficiently. As a result, effective August 1, we are operating completely remotely and will no longer be using our downtown office space.
Our phone numbers and email addresses will remain the same. For the time being, we will also be using the same mailing address. While we will miss the office, we will continue to meet regularly as a staff and to collaborate virtually on a daily basis.
Other office news
Matt Cohen has been ranked as one of America’s Most Honored Lawyers, in the top 1 percent, by the American Registry.
Matt Cohen again has been selected a 2022 Illinois Super Lawyer, a distinction he has held since 2007.
Matt also has once again been selected an Illinois Leading Lawyer for 2022, a distinction earned by fewer than 5 percent of all lawyers licensed to practice law in Illinois.
Matt also has been named an Avvo top lawyer for 2022.
Matt once again is a contributing author for the K and W Guide to Colleges for Students with Learning Disabilities, published by Penguin Random House. His article, "10 Things College Students with Disabilities Need to Know About their Rights," appears in the 15th edition of the guide.
Matt Cohen & Associates was selected the Best Local Business for the 2021 Best of Chicago Awards. The award recognizes the firm's commitment to community service.
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Summer is here...a great time for an IEP check up to prepare for next year!" Is your child's IEP giving them all they need? Does it have the right goals, objectives and evaluation procedures? Do the services and accommodations provide all they are entitled to? Click here for further details.
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BROCHURES AVAILABLE
We offer several different brochures related to the following topics, available by calling the office:
- Introduction to College Accommodations
- IEPs and 504 Plans - Navigating the Maze
- Tips for Obtaining Accommodations for the ACT, SAT and other Placement Exams
- Obtaining an Independent Educational Evaluation
- Tips for Obtaining Appropriate Services for Your Child With Autism
- Classroom Observation
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ABOUT US
Matt Cohen is the founder of the Chicago law firm Matt Cohen & Associates LLC.
The practice is concentrated in representation of children and families in special education and discipline disputes with public schools, disability rights advocacy, including advocacy for accommodations in admissions and licensing tests and in colleges and graduate schools and legal assistance to mental health and human services professionals and the organizations they work for.
For more information about Matt Cohen and the staff and to view this email in your browser, please visit our website.
If you have any questions, please contact his assistant, Tami Kuipers at 866-787-9270 or tami.kuipers@gmail.com.
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Matt Cohen CHADD Membership Support Fund |
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A Guide to Special Education Advocacy -
What Parents, Clinicians and Advocates
Need to Know
written by Matt Cohen
published in 2009
$20 plus $4.95
shipping
to order, call Tami
at 866-787-9270 or
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Disclaimer:
The material in this enews has been prepared by Matt Cohen & staff for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. We assume no responsibility for the accuracy or timeliness of any information provided herein. Internet subscribers and online readers should not act upon this information without seeking professional counsel. This information is not intended to create, and receipt of it does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.
We would be pleased to communicate with you via email. However, if you communicate with us through the Web site regarding a matter for which we do not already represent you, your communication may not be treated as privileged and confidential. Do not send us confidential, proprietary or other sensitive information until you speak with one of our attorneys and receive authorization to send that information. Matt Cohen is providing this enews, the information, listings, and links contained herein only as a convenience to you.
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